The BurmaNet News, October 3, 1997

------------------------ BurmaNet ------------------------
"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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The BurmaNet News: October 3, 1997
Issue #835
HEADLINES:
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REUTER: TOP SLORC IN SINGAPORE IN TRADE TALKS
INDEPENDENT REPORT: NEW ZEALAND LODGES PROTEST
AAP: AUSTRALIA WELCOMES BURMA DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE
AWSJ: BURMA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAID
PEOPLE'S DEFENCE FORCE: SITUATION REPORT
KNU: PRESS RELEASE 57 AND 58
BKK POST: FOREIGN LABOURERS LOSE OUT
ABSL: HUMAN WALL BLOCKADE AT INDO-BURMA BORDER
SLORC:NEW DELHI MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF NARCOTICS
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: SUSPICIOUS JUNTA FRUSTRATES
BKK POST: COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PIPE SNAGS
THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
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REUTER: TOP SLORC IN SINGAPORE IN TRADE TALKS
October 2, 1997
SINGAPORE, Oct 2 (Reuter) - Senior Burmese leader Khin Nyunt will arrive in
Singapore on Friday for high level trade and investment talks, the Singapore
government said.
The powerful Secretary One of the military-run State Law and Order
Restoration Council (SLORC), will lead a large delegation to this weekend's
second joint ministerial working committee meeting, a Singapore government
statement said.
Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt will also meet Singapore Prime Minister Goh
Chok Tong and his deputy, Lee Hsien Loong.
Singapore is Burma's largest trading partner. Last year trade more than
doubled to Singapore $1.31 billion (US$856.21 million), from S$615.9 million
in 1991, according to Singapore's Trade Development Board (TDB).
Total trade between the two countries during the first eight months of this
year grew to S$854 million.
Singapore is also the second largest investor in Burma, after the United
Kingdom. Current Singapore investments in Burma is US$1.3 billion involving
55 projects, the statement said.
The Burmese delegation is to include top officials from the ministries of
hotels and tourism, national planning and economic development, transport,
foreign affairs, agriculture and irrigation, the statement said.
Singapore's side in the meeting will be led by Trade and Industry minister
Lee Yock Suan and include the ministers for communications and national
development.
The joint ministerial committee meets every 18 months and the first meeting
was held in Burma in January 1996.
The second meeting on October 4 will explore new areas such as transport,
telecommunications and trade, as well as review the progress of current
cooperation in tourism, agro-business and workers training, the statement said.
It said the two countries would sign a shipping agreement and their chambers
of commerce would sign a memorandum of understanding. It gave no details of
either pact.
Singapore is a strong proponent of constructive engagement with Burma, which
was admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July
together with Laos.
ASEAN also includes Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore
Thailand and Vietnam.
The organisation says it hopes that by boosting meetings and dialogue with
Burma, it will help bring about reforms within the family fold rather than
resort to sanctions or direct intervention.
********************************************
INDEPENDENT REPORT: NEW ZEALAND LODGES PROTEST WITH
BURMA
October 1, 1997
By Etain McDonnell
Bangkok --New Zealand this afternoon lodged an official protest with Burma,
following the detention and deportation of a New Zealand woman from
Rangoon last Sunday.
Jude Smith was detained by the military authorities around 3.00pm Sunday
after trying to attend the closing ceremony of the National League for
Democracy party congress at the compound of Burma's democracy leader,
Aung San Suu Kyi, to which she held an invitation. She was questioned for
several hours before being deported to Bangkok at 8pm that evening.
On arrival in Bangkok, Smith asked the New Zealand government to lodge an
official complaint over the fact that while she was in detention, immigration
officials repeatedly denied her requests to advise the British Embassy,
which is
responsible for New Zealand's consular affairs in Burma.
Jude Smith said she was advised by the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok that
an official diplomatic note was delivered to the Embassy of Myanmar (Burma)
this afternoon. The note raised concern over the fact that consular access had
been denied and requested a response from the Myanmar government.
She was told by the New Zealand Embassy that the note pointed out that the
Burmese officials' actions contravened Article 36 of the Vienna Convention,
which states diplomats must be notified if requested. It also pointed out that
New Zealand has an agreement with the British Embassy to handle consular
affairs in Burma.
"I am very pleased that the New Zealand government is taking a stand over
this," Jude Smith told reporters in Bangkok tonight. "Being detained in Burma
is not a pleasant experience and it seems at least someone should know where
you are and what is happening. The SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration
Council) is getting very deportation-happy these days and I hope it makes them
think twice about denying someone consular assistance in the future."
For further information, contact the NZ Embassy, Bangkok 66-2-2542530
*************************************
AAP: AUSTRALIA WELCOMES BURMA DEMOCRACY CONFERENCE
BURMA AUSTRALIA (CANBERRA)
September 30, 1997 [abridged]
Australia has welcomed the decision of Burma's ruling State Law and Order
Restoration Council to allow last weekend's National League of Democracy
congress to proceed.
Foreign Minister ALEXANDER DOWNER says the decision to allow the NLD to
hold a congress on this occasion is a positive development.
****************************************
AWSJ: BURMA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAID
October 1, 1997
Burma's foreign minister said Rangoon wants to normalize relations with
Washington. Ohn Gyaw said Burma hopes to continue its ties with the U.S.,
adding it is looking after its citizens' welfare. The U. S. has banned all
new investments in Burma to pressure the military government.
****************************************************
PEOPLE'S DEFENCE FORCE: SITUATION REPORT
October 2, 1997
YE TOWNSHIP IN MON STATE
JULY 31, 1997
Near the Ma-hlwe-taung mountain range in Ye township, Light Infantry
Battalion (LIB) No. 343 is in contract for repair and maintenance of the
Ye-Ta-voy road and railway. On 31-07-97, heavy rain caused a landslide on
the nearby mountain burying alive 20 prisoners-turned-forced laborers, 5
soldiers, 5 civilian passengers and 2 trucks. The passengers were from a bus
which, due to heavy rain, had to stop and sleep that night at that
Ma-hlwe-taung forced labor camp.
After the incident, LIB 343 reported to the superiors about its inability to
take responsibility for road and rail repair. On 19-08-97, officials from
TOTAL company came and studied the landslide and said it would take 2 months
to repair the road. On 19-09-97, the road repair work restarted.
September 10, 1997
At Man-aung ( a Karen village) of Ye township, a landslide buried 70 houses
killing 12 villagers, 9 adults and 3 children.
At Min-hla (AKA) Late-pope village of Ye township, has 100 houses. Up to
now, forced porter conscription has been going on forcing the villagers to
provide 7 porters a day. If they can not provide the full number, the
villagers have to pay at the rate of 500 Kyat per porter that they fail to
find. The nearby villages, such as A-kan village, Kyaug-ywa village and etc.
have also to face the same problem. Many people have fled from their
villages to avoid the portage.
An army column led by CSM Tin Hlaing, extorted money from workers of log
and bamboo rafts, in Ye township at the following rates.
On one ton of log:
- for army camp at Chaung-ywa village 500 Kyat;
- for army camp at Kyauk-me-jaung village 500 Kyat;
- for army camp at Ye-da-dar-jee Gate 500 Kyat;
- for forest ranger of the Forestry department 1500 Kyat;
On 100 stems of bamboo:
- for army camp at Chaung-ywa village 200 Kyat;
- for army camp at Kyauk-me-jaung village 100 Kyat;
- for army camp at Ye-da-dar-jee Gate 100 Kyat;
- for forest ranger of the Forestry department 200 Kyat;
Chaung-ywa village in Ye township will be forcibly relocated after the
monsoon, according to the Slorc's plan. At that village, all villagers are
forced to carry water daily for the army camp stationed there.
In Ye township, U San Kyi's palm grove was confiscated by the township LORC
for the expansion of the Ye city area. But in reality, it was divided and
distributed among the officials of Infantry Battalion (IB)61 including the
second in command, Major Hla Win, who took 3 plots for himself.
In July 1997, at Late-pope village, soldiers from LIB 353 gang-raped 5 girls
including Naw Phaw Lweh, a 25 years old daughter of U Net Kyar. They also
forcibly took commodities worth 50000 Kyat from a shop owned by Ko Myint
Oo(28), a man from that village.
In Ye township, LIB 343 forcibly confiscated a villager's rubber plantation
of 10 acres, situated near the SLORC-owned ice factory. Then, a market
place was constructed and sold for the battalion fund. A room of 15 feet by
15 feet was sold at the rate of 150,000 Kyat.
Major Hla Win from IB 61 issued orders conscripting forced porters from
villages of Kan-ni, Yit-chaung, Ah-byaw, Chauk-taing, Kine-daw, Baw-doe and
etc., for the repair of Ye-Ta-voy rail and road. When the villagers did not
comply with the order, he summoned the village headmen and threatened to
totally wipe out the villagers, if they further refused to follow his order.
--------------------
KAW-THAUNG TOWNSHIP IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
July 30, 1997
A number of people were arrested at Kaw-thaung township in Tenasserim
division. Some of them were released on 970915. Four of the released persons
shown below were interviewed:
1) U Hla Hun (45);
2) Maung Kyi Khaing (18);
3) U Maung Kweh (37);
4) U Tin Htun (24);
( All of them are Burman, Buddhist and peasants from Chauk-tine village,
Min-don township of Ma-gway Division, in central Burma.)
What they said about their experience is as follows:
They were from the same village and they came to Kaw-thaung to look for
jobs. In Kaw-thaung, they stayed at the Shway-min-win monastery. At 11:00 PM
on 30-07-97, about 30 people from local LORC, the army, police and fire
brigade came and arrested them. Then they were taken to the
Pa-dauk-shway-wa Ward LORC office. They were put together with 20 other
people, also arrested. They were kept there all night without sleep. The
next morning, they were taken to the police station where there were about
150 other persons, detained for use as porters.
In the evening, about 60 soldiers, led by Captain Win Thein from LIB 431,
came and took all the detained persons by trucks to Kaw-thaung harbor. Then
they were taken by ship to Chain-meh-taung. They arrived at Chain-meh-taung
the next morning and were made to carry ammunitions and food supplies. One
person had to carry 20 Viss ( 70 pounds) of load. They had to cross streams
and climb mountains. At least, they had to walk 10 miles a day, for 20 days
to reach Ywar-hay-lu camp. Along the trip, they were given small amount of
food, according to scale. It was not enough and they were always hungry, but
no more food was provided. Some soldiers sold rice at 50 Kyat per
condensed-milk tin. The porters had to buy this rice. If they could not walk
quickly enough, were scolded and beaten. If the porters got sick, no
medicine or treatment was given. Some soldiers sold the medicines to the
sick porters. On the way, 13 porters fled. They had to carry supplies two
times from Ywa-hay-lu camp to Koe-theh-lu camp. On other days, they had work
on the construction of the army camp and other work there.
Altogether about 60 porters had died within 2 months of portage, mainly due
to lack of food, exhaustion, sickness, lack of proper treatment and medicine
for the sick.
All the rest were released on 15-09-97.
------------------------
YE-BYU TOWNSHIP IN TENASSERIM DIVISION
September 16, 1997
At the Le-sa-karn village in Ye-byu township of Tanessarim division,
lightning struck 3 soldiers from LIB 343, killing one and wounding 2.
*************************************
KNU: PRESS RELEASE 57 AND 58
October 2, 1997
Office of the Supreme Headquarters
Karen National Union
KawThooLei
PRESS RELEASE NO. 57/97 September 30, 1997
Regarding 1997 SLORC Offensive against the KNU
Atrocities and Human Rights Abuses by the SLORC
Paan District
On 2-9-97, Battalion Commander Tun Aung of the SLORC IB 230 arrested a No
Kay villager named Maung Kway, for no apparent reason. After torturing him,
the commander shot him dead. Then, the commander looted 2,400 kyat, 3 viss
of cooking oil, 5 bottles of liquor and a goat from relatives of the victim.
On 2-9-97, a combined force of the SLORC military and police arrested
No Boe Kloe villagers, Maung Maung, Maung Win, and Par Lar Kee on
charges of having connections with the rebels and sent them to Kaw Ka
@LIST28F3.PML Reik detention camp.
On 3-9-97, a military column from the SLORC IB 230 arrested Saw Doe and 2
other villagers and tortured them. Though Saw Doe managed to escape, the
other 2 remain in the hands of the SLORC troops. Their fate is unknown.
On 5-9-97, a SLORC military column came to Kort Ta Raw village of Kaw Ka
Reik township and looted a TV set and 2,000 kyat from a villager, Saw Lar.
On 16-9-97, a unit of the DKBA came to Ler Dah village of Kaw Ka Reik
township and looted chickens and other property from a villager named Saw
Gar. They also stole 3,000 kyat from a villager named Maung Nyunt Thein,
and kicked Saw Eh Loo Ger without any reason.
On 22-9-97, units from the SLORC LIB 547 and 549 fired mortar shells into
Tee Klay village of Kaw Ka Reik township, killing 3 village cows. The SLORC
troops then came and ate the dead cattle and looted 3,000 kyat from the
villagers. They burnt down a house and 6 cow sheds. The mortar shells also
wounded 3 villagers.
Papun District
On 28-8-97, troops from the SLORC LIB 547 and 549 confiscated 85
baskets of rice from Meh Way and Meh Thu villagers. In addition, they took
rice from other forcibly located villagers in the area which is situated in
the south west of Papun. The troops also shot dead a Pway Day villager
named Saw Aung Thein and stole his 55 baskets of rice.
On 6-9-97, troops from SLORC LIB 705 came to Wa Lort Mu Doe village in Pupun
township and burnt down the houses that had escaped the previous burnings.
On 12-9-97, troops from the SLORC LIB 709 shot dead a villager from Maw Cho
Ta village in the Pupun township. His name was Saw Jor Ga, he was 55 years
old. He was killed for no apparent reason.
PRESS RELEASE NO. 58/97 October 2, 1997
Atrocities and Human Rights Violations by the SLORC troops
On 28-8-97, a military column from the SLORC Operational Command 3
came to Wah Klu village in Kyauk Kyi township and shot dead a villager for
no apparent reason. His name was Saw No Ah.
On 29-8-97, in the Tavoy township, the SLORC troops burnt down the whole
village of Ber Taw Ta, including the village Christian church.
On 29-8-97, troops from the SLORC LIB 704 executed an unknown villager at a
front line military camp in Bu Hsa Kee area of Tarn Da Bin township.
On 31-8-97, the SLORC troops in Kaw Ka Reik township demanded 1,500 viss of
pork from Nor Der Kee villagers as a fine because a battle took place near
their village. The troops also ransacked every house in the village. In
the Kaw Ka Reik township, the SLORC demanded from the villages of Nor Kay,
Mya Pa Daing, Naung Da Hweh, Toh Gor Koe, No Par Doh, No Ta Bor, Yor Bu and
other villages, 44 persons from each village to serve as laborers. For each
person below the quota, a fine of 200 kyat would be levied against the village.
On 2-9-97, village elders of Gor The Doe in Tarn Da Bin township named Saw
San Tin, Saw Way Wo and ordained Christian pastors named Saya Law Ret and
Saya Saw Kot were arrested and forced into wooden clogs by the SLORC troops.
Their crime was the failure to prevent villagers from fleeing the SLORC
troops. Troops from the SLORC LIB 701 had subjected the villagers,
including children, women and the aged, to forced labor. As a result, those
who could not longer bear the hardship of the forced labor, fled.
On 2-9-97, troops from the SLORC LIB 534 came to Ma Yan Gon village in
Thaton township and shot dead a villager named Saw Khin Zaw for no apparent
reason.
On 5-9-97, troops from the SLORC military column led by Gen. Aung Kyaw Hla
came to Taung Ta Lay village of Kaw Ka Reik township and arrested villager
Maung Thaung. He was tortured to death. In Chauk Ba Lu village, the SLORC
stole money from women villagers. They stole 6,000 kyat from Naw Heh,
27,775 kyat from Naw Ma NGe and 1,500 kyat from Naw Mu Hsay.
On 14-9-97, seventeen villagers, including 12 children of Yar The Ta village
in Cha In Seik Jee township arrived at the Thai-Burma border in Umphang
township for refuge after fleeing from their village as they could no longer
bear mistreatment by the SLORC troops. Many villagers in Cha In Seik Jee
and Kaw Ka Reik townships are no longer able to survive in their villages as
they have been ruthlessly subjected to mistreatment by the SLORC troops.
Abbreviations and Words:
KNU = Karen National Union, the political wing of the Karen resistance.
SLORC = State Law and Order Restoration Council, the military dictatorship
of Burma.
KNLA = Karen National Liberation Army, the military wing of the Karen
resistance.
LIB = Light Infantry Battalion
Kyat = name of Burmese currency
viss = equals to 1.6 kg.
A basket of rice equals 33 kg.
******************************************
BKK POST: FOREIGN LABOURERS LOSE OUT AS BUILDING PROJECTS FOLD
October 2, 1997
Onnucha Hutasingh
Thousands have not been paid for months
Many foreign workers, most of them in the construction industry, have lost
their jobs, according to a report by the Department of Employment.
As of August about 17,045 migrant workers have been laid off, an official at
the foreign labour control centre said.
An official report shows that as of Sept 26, the employment of about 1,000
foreign workers has been terminated. This means about 16,000 of them have
evaded the authorities.
Under the law, employers are required to report termination of employment to
the immigration office and hand over the workers for deportation.
The Labour and Social Welfare Ministry has yet to take measures on jobless
foreign workers, but in the economic meltdown, the official said priority
will be given to Thai nationals.
Meanwhile, several foreign workers have found that their own future is now
hanging in the balance.
Most are waiting for payments that are one or two months overdue, according
to an official responsible for Burmese workers.
Burmese workers at construction sites of the Hopewell rail/road project have
not received wages since February.
Those at the construction site of the Asia Games venue have not been paid
either.
"Instead of reporting to labour officials, many decide to go and look for
new jobs," the official said.
Thawe, an 18-year-old Burmese Worker, said he had been to seven places
before ending up at the construction site of the Games. He is now looking
for a new job.
"I haven't received payment for four weeks. They agreed to pay me 140 baht a
day but cut this to 500 baht for two weeks. They haven't paid us yet," he said.
He said workers fail to report to authorities for fear that they might be
arrested if they go outside limited areas. Some workers have left their
money to flee police.
Eng, a 30-year-old Burmese worker, is also waiting for his payment agreed at
the rate of 560 baht per two weeks.
Both workers are unaware that the rising unemployment rate in Thailand due
to the recession. They said there are a lot of jobs to do although the money is
not that good, and they plan to work and collect money for a while.
Officials at the Labour Protection and Social Welfare Department said there
were no complaints about alien workers being cheated by employers, and the
Social Security Office has no records of migrant labourers who are
registered with the fund.
Deputy Labour and Social Welfare Minister Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk said
evaluation of the relaxation of alien workers will be conducted by the end
of the month.
He said the government had yet to decide whether to extend the relaxation
period.
He said these unskilled labourers were still in demand in several sectors
such as fisheries and exports.
A June 25, 1996 cabinet resolution allows alien workers to work in 43
provinces and register with the authorities. They are eligible to work for
two years.
A total of 323,123 migrant workers reported to the immigration office last
November and a total of 293,652 received temporary work permits.
However, an unofficial report compiled by Mahidol University's Institute of
Population and Social Research puts the number of illegal workers at one
million; 75 per cent are Burmese nationals.
*******************************************************
ABSL: HUMAN WALL BLOCKADE AT INDO-BURMA BORDER
October 1, 1997
INFORMATION ON CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ILLICIT ENTRY OF DRUGS AT THE
INDO-BURMA BORDER AT MOREH, MANIPUR
Date Of Commencement: 2 October 1997
Location: Moreh, 112 Kilometres From Imphal, Manipur
Nature Of Campaign : Human Wall Blockade By Political And Trade Union
Activists, Human Rights Organisations, Womens Organisations, Students, Ngos
Working Against Drugs And Hiv/Aids And All Other Concerned Groups And
Individuals
The Samata Party has taken the initiative in organising the Satyagraha
with volunteers from all over the country erecting a human wall every
day. It will not be conducted under the party's auspices, as we wish to
mobilise as many
people as possible to identify themselves in support of those in the
north-east who are fighting the menace of drugs and AIDS. (Please see
the background note). The Satyagraha is being organized by George
Fernandes, Member of Parliament, President of Samata Party and Hind Mazdoor
Kisan Panchayat.
This is not a political fight. This is a humanitarian struggle. The
people of the north-east, in particular, and in other parts of the
country must be saved from the scourge of drugs and AIDS, and the
colossal waste of the nation's material and human resources this implies.
Along with that the security of the nation must be safeguarded. So, this
is a struggle to save the nation, in every sense of the term.
It is also a struggle against corruption and for human rights for the
people of Burma since the strength of the Burmese military lies in its
access to drug money which is then used to suppress the democratic urges
of the people.
We invite people from all parts of the country irrespective of
their political or other affiliations to join us at Moreh during the
week beginning October 2.
This will be a major international event in which the volunteer
satyagrahis are prepared to face any consequences that may arise out of
their efforts to prevent vested interests from carrying on their dangerous
activities. The people and press of Manipur have welcomed unanimously the
proposed satyagraha.
We request all our friends in the press to make it possible for
your correspondents and photographers to be present at Moreh for the
satyagraha so that the world is aware of the struggle of the people of
the north-east
against those who connive with smugglers of drugs which is destroying the
health, well-being and morale of the people.
Any information about the logistics of reaching Moreh may be obtained by
contacting Mr. Aneel Hegde or Mr. Ramesh Kumar at Delhi Tel: (011) 301
7172 or 301 6035 or Mr. M.G. Chaddha at (011) 335 2280 or contact
on Fax No: (91)(11)379 3397.
------------------------------------------
Background Note for the Moreh Satyagraha :
------------------------------------------
TIME is the world's best known and most influential weekly newsmagazine.
In its issue of December 23, 1996, TIME carried a two-page report on
heroin smuggling from Burma through India to the Middle East and Europe
and the United States. The estimated value of the smuggled heroin is about
one lakh crore rupees (Rs. 1,00,000,00,00,000).
The TIME report only substantiated what is well known to those who are
engaged in the war against drug trade and drug addiction. It also
substantiated another well-known fact: the involvement of the Burmese
army and Indian security forces in the opium trade.
Two points need to be emphasised. First, it is eight months since
this story appeared and drew the attention of the world with an
eye-catching headline "Heroin's Deadly Detour - Smugglers are now sending
the drug through India
to the West - with help from crooked police". Yet, so far there has been
no move by the India government to seal the borders with Burma and prevent
the use of Moreh for drug smuggling. All inquiries made by us indicate
that it is
business as usual, with, as confirmed by TIME, "Indian security forces
mixed up in the drug trade". TIME also quotes a senior police officer
telling a western drug control expert who visited the area that the
"corruption level" (read as "collusion in drug smuggling") in his
force was "about 100%".
Second, the processing of opium into heroin is made near the India
border using Indian- made acetic anhydrides and other chemicals.
Obviously, the head of the Narcotics Wing in the Ministry of Finance is
aware where the chemicals are manufactured. He also knows who the
manufacturers are.
These chemicals are smuggled across the frontier at Moreh for converting
opium into heroin. Why has no action been taken by the Narcotics Wing to
apprehend those involved in this smuggling? Does any person in government
service have any interest in the manufacture of acetic anhydrides and
other chemicals in India or in Nepal?
Drugs have had a devastating effect on India's youth, in general, and
the youth of Manipur, Nagaland and other states alongside Burma's
frontier, in particular. Mumbai and Delhi have become major operational
centres for the drug smugglers who have established large underworld
networks of criminals and other anti-socials to market the drug in India
and to reach it to the overseas markets. It is drug money that the
underworld uses to bribe officials, police and politicians. Drug money
poses the gravest risk to national security.
Burma has also been exporting AIDS along with drugs into India. Today,
Manipur has the largest incidence of AIDS per 1000 of population in India
and perhaps in the world. One in every five young persons in Manipur is
a drug addict.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| Shar Aung |
|-----------------------------------------------|
| All Burma Students League |
| 3, Krishna Menon Marg |
| New Delhi - 110011 |
| India. |
|-----------------------------------------------|
| Ph : 95-11-3017172/3016035 |
| Fx : 95-11-3793397 |
| Email : shar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| s_aung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
| makakha@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
+-----------------------------------------------+
********************************************
SLORC:NEW DELHI MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF NARCOTIC DRUGS
September 28, 1997 [abridged]
NEWS BRIEFS FROM MYANMAR
ISSUED BY THE EMBASSY OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR, NEW DELHI MEETING THE
CHALLENGE OF NARCOTIC DRUGS
Drug transcends border and hence drug related problems also
transcend border. However, unlike the end of 17th Century and early 18th
Century when the movement of drugs took place with forcible introduction to
an innocent country the present day movement accrue and arise out of "users"
fondness or addiction of the drug at the other end.
The Union of Myanmar is one of the few countries in the
forefront of the war on illicit drugs.
In 1974, an elaborate legal framework was put in place to
deal with the drug menace by the enactment of the Narcotic and Dangerous
Drug Law. This legal framework was further strengthened by amendments in
1983 and 1988. Furthermore from 1977 through 1988 the Myanmar Security
forces had carried out large-scale military operations (Operation Moe Hein)
in twelve phases. In parallel with these military operations, the
eradication of poppy
plantations was carried out starting from the year 1974 by aerial spraying
as well as by other means. As a result, the Myanmar authorities have been
able to destroy well over thousands of acres of poppy fields to-date.
At the international level, Myanmar is a State party to the
1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1988 UN Convention Against
Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. It has also been
actively engaged in the sub-regional cooperation with her neighbours. Thus
in 1995 Myanmar joined them in signing with UN Drug Control Programme
(UNDCP) the Agreement on Precursor Control in East Asia and the Agreement on
Reducing Illicit Drug Use in the Highlands of the East.
In the last two years the government has made impressive
achievements. Hundreds of kilograms of raw opium, heroin, marijuana and
precursor chemicals have been destroyed in public on eleven occasions,
witnessed by representatives of International Organizations and Diplomatic
Corps including Indian Embassy.
In the meanwhile the programme to eradicate poppy
cultivations was made and implemented so successfully that Mongla Region in
the Shan State was declared Opium Free Zone.
Furthermore, notorious drug trafficker Li Yun Chang who
escaped from a closely guarded Thai detention centre was recently
apprehended in Myanmar and later handed back to Thailand making it possible
for the latter to
extradite the drug trafficker to the United States where he will stand
trial in New York for involvement in one of the world's largest heroin
seizures.
All these are planned and accomplished without any help from
either the US or UK. However, hundreds of Myanmar soldiers have sacrificed
their lives and further fighting against drug trafficking groups, some of
which have
been connived and supported by so-called "Aid Programmes" or "NGOs".
Myanmar still keep their arms opened to all countries
including the US and UK for joining hands to meet the Challenge of Narcotic
Drugs. The
American and British public should take this opportunity and put pressure
to their respective Administration for carrying out the part of their duty
and urge for active cooperation with countries like Myanmar.
It would be one of the greatest achievements of the decade
if any part of the narcotic drugs infested area of the West could be
declared Drug-Free
Zone similar to Mongla Region of Myanmar.
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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: SUSPICIOUS JUNTA FRUSTRATES THAIS
October 2 1997
by William Barnes in Bangkok
Three months ago Burma was welcomed into the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, but that did not stop it from building on a Moei River island to
spy on Thailand.
Burma is desperate for friends but remains suspicious of outsiders, especially
its traditional enemy across the river.
Burmese soldiers are cloaked in a fierce tradition that their key task is to
protect the Burmese heartland from rapacious foreigners.
So when nature decided a couple of years ago to change the course of the Moei
River - an important border marker - it clipped a few score hectares off Burma
in favour of Thailand.
The result has been a long and bitter squabble that Thai peace-seekers have
failed to quell.
The "principled" Burmese simply do not trust the "unprincipled" Thais, as they
tend to view things.
Burmese Foreign Minister Ohn Gyaw may sit beaming at any number of regional
conferences that preach non-confrontation, but along the border it is the
hard men of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the ruling military
junta, who still call the shots.
This means that the nearby, newly completed HK$25 million Friendship Bridge,
remains unused - to the frustration of Thai traders who are eager to do
business across the border.
Earlier this year Thai army chief General Chettha Thanajaro hugged his
opposite number, General Maung Aye, on the bridge, declaring "mutual
understanding" had been achieved.
The Burmese regime has no access to development money from the likes of the
World Bank or the Asian Development Bank because of its poor human rights
record and refusal to deal with the opposition, the National League for
Democracy.
Yet the junta has been ambivalent at best. The generals appear to like the
idea of Thai money being used to open up Tavoy port and other transport links.
But enthusiastic Thai talk of opening an overland route into Rangoon has met
with a cool response. A local politician who wanted to lead a "friendship"
convoy was firmly rebuffed.
"We find it very frustrating. Nothing we do seems to please them," said one
Thai security official.
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BKK POST: COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE PIPE SNAGS
October 2, 1997
PTT tries to allay Yadana worries
A joint committee has been set up to deal with disputes arising as a result
of the gas pipeline construction in Kanchanaburi province, the Petroleum
Authority of Thailand announced yesterday.
The project, to deliver natural gas from Burma's Yadana and Yetagun gas
fields to a power plant in Ratchaburi, has generated tremendous controversy
and has been strongly opposed by environmental groups.
The PTT has insisted that the construction and other factors were taken into
account and dealt with on international standards but conceded there were
disputes between local villagers and contractors as a result. It added that
it never resorted to violent means to solve the disputes, although the
resolutions were sometimes late in coming.
It hoped that the establishment of the committee would help resolve future
differences.
PTT public relations director Songkiat Thansamrit said the committee's
formation was the result of a recent protest by villagers at Ban Phu Takian
in Sai Yok district who refused to allow construction to proceed, claiming
that it would damage their property.
He said the dispute has been satisfactorily resolved with the help of
provincial Governor Khwanchai Wasawong.
The new committee would be responsible for settling compensation for any
damage that might result from the pipeline's construction, he said.
Chaired by the Sai Yok district officer, the committee is composed of
representatives from local government agencies, kamnans and village chiefs
and the PTT.
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THE NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR: NEWS BRIEFS
[excerpts only]
September 17, 1997:
HANA BANK OF REPUBLIC OF KOREA OPENS YANGON
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
YANGON, Sept 16 - Hana Bank of the Republic of Korea opened its Yangon
Representative Office at International Business Centre this Morning.
PRC RED CROSS DONATES $ 20,000 FOR FLOOD RELIEF
YANGON, Sept 16 - Red Cross Society of the people's Republic of China
donated US $ 20,000 for flood relief measures of Myanmar today.
September 21, 1997:
MEMBERS OF ARMED GROUPS EXCHANGE ARMS FOR PEACE IN
TANINTHAYI, DAWEI
YANGON, 20 Sept - Altogether 43 armed group members led by commandant
U Soe Wai of Myaik-Dawei Nyinyutyay TatU, KNU organizer-incharge Phado
Maung Wah (a) Kyaw Thein of Mawtaung Township, and sgt Naung Mei of
No 1 company of No 11 battalion and 284 family members exchanged arms for
peace at Theindaw military camp in Taninthayi Township on 16 and 17
September, bringing in 50 assorted arms, 1,804 rounds and nine mines.
On 3 and 5 September, 10 armed group members led by sgt Saw Shar Bi of No
2 company of No 10 battalion of No 4 brigade, two members led by sgt Saw Bo
Hsa Hsai of No 1 company of No 10 battalion, and 42 family members
exchanged arms for peace bringing in seven assorted arms, 117 rounds and
two grenades.
28 ARMED GROUP MEMBERS EXCHANGE ARMS FOR PEACE
YANGON, 20 Sept - Twenty-eight members of armed groups who exchanged
arms for peace were pvt Shaung Shu Ar Laung of Kalahsoe Armed Group with
one short gun and three rounds in the Western Command area; rations officer
Myint Shwe of No 3 company of No 2 brigade of KNU in the Southern
Command area; sgt Soe Win of No 17 battalion of No6 brigade of KNU, pvt Ah
Myaing, cpl Ko Paik of Kyaikdon, pvts Saw Lwin, Thein Kyi, Jinna, Baw
Thaw, E Pa, Shwe Kan, Shan Lu, Han Kyi, Maung Myint, Phado He and Tin
Zaw Oo, pvt Han Nyein of, intelligence unit of No 6 brigade, pvt Sein Htwe
Hlaing, Soe Myint, Thauk Kya and Ah Pho of No 16 battalion, pvt Thein Dan
of Dupalaya district, and pvt Ah Boke and Ah Tun of village defence unit in
the South-East Command area; sgt Saw Pe (a) Saw Ei Nu, l/cpl Saw Pei Khee
(a) Saw Phyo Khin and their wives of No 2 company of No 10 battalion with
one M 16 automatic, two magazines and 30 rounds in Taninthayi Division.
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